Gaseous and vapor electric discharge device



G. E. INMAN GASEOUS AND VAPOR ELECTRIC DISCHARGE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 21, 1937.

Filed Sept. 11, 1954 2&1

in? C if 24 F152" /0 (I I FT .4- Q

F125. [0 l/ I rl 22 wm w rm Inventor":

George Elm an,

fi m 18,8 His Attorney.

Dec. 21, 1931. G E .NMAN 2,103,034

GASEOUS AND VAPOR-ELECTRiC DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed Sept. 11, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor 74 6. Q LM His Attorn ey.

Patented Dec. 21, 1937 PATENT OFFICE GASEOUS Ag!) VAPOB' ELECTRIC DIS- HARGE DEVICE George E. lmnan, East .to General Electric of New York Application September 13 Claims.

My invention relates to gaseous or vapor electric discharge devices containing some working substance providing an ionizable atmosphere during operation, and particularly to discharge devices of the so-called positive column" type, exemplified in gas lamps such as argon or neon lamps, and in metal vapor lamps such as sodiurn lamps. Very usually, sodium or other metal vapor lamps include in their working substance a small amount of easily ionized gas like neon, argon, etc. (whose partial pressure in the lamp is around .1 or 2 to 'l m. m.), to assist in starting the sodium or. other vapor discharge: 1. e., the lamp starts as a gas lamp, and'as it heats up operates more and more as a sodium vapor lamp. My invention is especially concerned with the starting of positive column devices, and is very useful in reducing or minimizing the starting voltages of such devices, and in starting relao tively long tubular devices. The invention facilitates the starting of devices with discharge gaps so long that they might otherwise require excessive starting voltages, and also allows of improving the economy of operation 'of such devices after starting. It is especially adaptable and advantageous for low-pressure positive column' glow discharge devices having one or more "hot" or separately heated" electron-emissive thermoinic"-electrodes,-as distinguished from so-called "col electrodes, heated only by the discharge.

Heretoiore, discharge devices of this character having relatively long discharge gaps have employed electrodes each resistively heated, with a very small voltage drop between its heatingcurrent leads (usually about 2 volts) for the sake of uniform emission from the electrode surface.

Usually, two leads were run through the stem or end of the lamp bulb for each electrode. For

40 starting such devices, a high voltage across the discharge gap between the coacting electrodes had to be relied on, so that it was generally impossible to start them on an ordinary A. 0. lighting circuit of about 110 to 120 volts. To provide the lowpotential (2 volt) drop for heating the electrodes, as well as the high voltage for the discharge between them, special external arrangements were necessary. As, moreover, the

voltage req ired at starting very much exceeded 80 the subsequent normal operating voltage of the device, voltage-controlling means had to be provided to permit high starting voltage andassure suitably reduced operating voltage.

I have found that by using diilferent electrodes 55 from those heretofore used in suchpositive col- Cleveland, Ohio, assignor Company, a corporation REISSUED APR 2 8 1942 11', 1934, Serial No. 143,504

umn discharge devices, and changing-various associated features, the starting of such devices can be facilitated, and a longer lamp started on a given voltage; their starting voltages reduced; their economy in normal operation improved; their construction and accessories simplified and cheapened; and various other advantages secured. Instead of electrodes with only a 2 volt drop between their heating-current leads, I employ one or more electrodes with heating means taking at starting a voltage considerably over 2 volts or the like, and, indeed, in excess of the ionization potential of the atmosphere in the envelope of the device at or during starting. Across the heating-current circuit of this electrode-heating means, I cause or permit a preliminary, local discharge,in parallel with said heating means or a part thereoi,-thus ionizing enough of the atmosphere in the device to facilitate starting of the main discharge. To 'minimize or prevent undesirable persistence of such local discharge, suitable control over the voltage across the heating circuit is provided, to reduce it sufliciently to mitigate or terminate the local discharge. This dm not necessarily require redueing the heating-circuit voltage actually below the ionization potential of the atmosphere in the device, after the main discharge has started,. but only reducing itto a point where the local discharge gap is too great for such reduced heating-circuit voltage to maintain a local discharge of any magnitude. A very simple arrangement consists of an indirectly heated uni-potential type of electrode having its electron-emissive portion or surface connected in parallel with a heating resistance also having a current lead to the resistance (or an associated part) suitably exposed close to the emissive surface, to serve as anode for a local discharge across the gap between such emissive surface and anode. With the parallel connection indicated, an automatic voltage control for the main discharge may readily control the voltage across the heating resistance circuit, so as to reduce it nearly to or below the ionization potential above referred to. The voltage control may consist of a ballast resistance (preferably of positive temperature-resistance eoeflicient, like the timgsten filament of an incandescent lamp) in series with the device, or of a high-reactance transformer, or of a reactor, etc.

My invention also aims at improving the em- (external or internal) of suitably high value, and

ciency of low pressure positive column oi'cathodic vapor discharge devices characterizedby a diffuse glow discharge, that generally appears to fill the whole envelope, as in sodium vapor lamps, by uniformly heating their envelopes,+ even in cases when the starting features above set forth are not employed.

Various other features and advantages of my invention will appear from the following description of species thereof, andfrom. the drawings.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side view of one form of positive column discharge device embodying my invention, with a wiring diagram of its electrical connections.

, Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal or axial mid-section through one of the electrodes shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of a like device with different and somewhat simpler circuit features.

Fig. 4 is a side view of a simpler form of discharge device.

Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are similar views of still other forms.

Fig. 1 shows a device well adapted for use as a low pressure positive column glow discharge metal vapor lamp (e. g., a sodium lamp) containing easily ionizable starting gas like neon, argon, or the like, and suitable for alternating current. It

comprises a fairly long tubular (glass) envelope or bulb I0 with electrodes II, II in its opposite ends, and a pair of current leads I2, I3 to each electrode, both (in the present instance) sealed through the corresponding end walls. The electrodes II, II are shown as of unipotential, indirectly heated, thermionic type, and as externally emissive and extending diametrally of the envelope and parallel with one another,al-

though these latter" details are broadly unessential. While the details of electrode construction are likewise broadly unessential, yet for the sake of cleamess thefelectrodes II, II may be briefly coating I5 of emissive material (like barium oxide); shouldered ins'ulative refractory (lava)- plugs I6, I6 in the ends of the tube, centrally bored for passage of the current leads I2, I3; and a finely coiled (tungsten) heating wire or filament I'I welded to the leads and extending axially in the tube I4. The tube I4 is shown connected to the leadI2 by a metal (nickel) strip I8, so that the emissive portion or surface at I5 has virtually the electrical potential of this lead I2 and of 'the end of the filamentary heating resistance IIthat is connected to said lead I2. Hence the lead I2 requires no insulation within the envelope III. The other lead I3 is freely exposed in the envelope I0 outside the electrode II,'-at least over a limited area, and preferably where it is near(e'st) the emissive surface I5,-to serve as anode for a local discharge between it and the electrode II.

As here shown, the leads I2, I2 serve as the current leads of the main discharge circuit to the gap between the electrodes II, II, and each pair of leads I2, I3 serve as the leads of a heating circuit' including the corresponding resistance I1. The leads I 2, I2 are shown connected to the secondary terminals 20, 20 of a transformer 2| as a source of discharge current at suitably high voltage for-starting,'and the leads I3, I3 are shown connected to intermediatetaps 22, 22 on the transformer secondary. The transformer primary is shown connected in a suitable A. C. supply circuit 23 of to volts,-or of any other suitable voltage. The transformer 2I itself affords ballast reactance to control the discharge voltage and current of the circuit I2, I2 and between the electrodes II, II, and the heating voltages (and currents) of the circuit(s) I2, I3 and through the reslstance(s) I'I, so that special additional ballast resistance for the purpose is not ordinarily needed.

The showing of the transformer 2I and the connection of the leads I2, I2 and I3, I3 to its primary terminals 20, 20 and taps 22, 22 illustrate the provision of high starting voltage for the main discharge, and the fact that the heating circuit voltages combined need not necessarily equal (or even approach) the main discharge circuit voltage in order to produce preliminary local dischargesbetween one or both electrodes II, II and the lead or leads I3, I3. Quite obviously, the necessary voltages and the currents in the main discharge and heating circuits might be produced in a great variety of other ways well known to electrical engineers. The connections also illustrate the fact that the voltages for the heating circuits I2, I 3 need not be the same, and that, if desired an ionizing starting voltage might be used for only one such heating circuit, and only one local preliminary discharge thus produced. In this case, the resistances I1, I! would probably, of course, have to be of unequal values.

In operation, starting cold, the turning on. of current causes heating of the, electrodes II, II to electron-emissive temperatures by'the currents in their heating circuits I2, I3, I2, I 3. With suitable values of the heating resistances II, II, the heating circuit voltages at starting readily exceed the ionizing potential of argon (15.7 volts) or neon (21.5 volts), so that with the electron-emission from the surfaces I5, I5, local discharges readily start across the relatively short gaps between the electrodes II, II as cathodesand their leads I3, I3 as anodes, thus ionizing gas in the envelope I0. The main discharge between the electrodes II, II then starts easily. ow ng to the relatively large amount of conductive gas thus provided for it, and the higher voltage between the electrodes II, II than across each heating circuit I2, I3. But as the main discharge increases and the total current through the leads I2, I2 correspondingly increases, the ballast reactance embodied in the transformer 2| takes a larger proportion of the available voltage. Hence the voltage and the local discharge between each electrode II and lead I3 decreases, until the voltage across each circuit I2, I3 sufliciently approaches (or falls below) the ionization potential of the atmosphere in the endischarge.

For various reasons, the voltage drop along a heater resistance orfilament I! should not be allowed to become excessive, during either startingor operation. In the first place, the higher this voltage (above the ionization voltage), the greater the consumption of energy in the rela-l' tively ineflicient discharge between electrode II and lead I3. In the second place, a serious discharge or are along the heater filament II itself is to be avoided. As the operating voltage is con siderably lower than the starting voltage, no difficulty in operation is to beapprehended if the starting voltage, on the filaments is kept within proper limits.

Besides the direct advantages of the easier starting made possible by the preliminary local discharges at the electrodes H, II, the lower starting voltage thus permitted reduces the amount of ballast needed.

A positive column lamp of very simple construction can be made to start on a low voltage, without any special transformer arrangement or the like by interconnecting or merging its electrode-heating circuits, including resistances i1, IT, in series with one another and in parallel with the main discharge gap,--provided. of course the main discharge gap is not so long that the heating resistances would'be under excessive voltages at starting when so cbnnected. This series connection of the heating resistances may be either outside or inside the lamp envelope 10.

Fig. 3 shows such a simplification, with the external heating circuit leads ll, ll of the two electrodes II, II interconnected or merged in one lead l3a. A ballast resistance 24 is in series both with the main discharge gap II, II and with the heating circuit from I! through l3, I311 and I3 to l2, so as to control the voltages in both. Obviously, the voltages on the two heating resistances l1, I! are together equal to the main discharge voltage. The operation of the device is substantially the same as that of Fig. 1 .device.

Fig. 4 shows a simplification of the device itself by using an internal (molybdenum) lead l3!) extending right alongthrough the main discharge gap between the electrodes II, II, instead of an external lead as in Fig. 3. In this lamp, the electrodes H, H are arranged axially in the ends of the envelope l0, and the lead llb also extends axially of the envelope. Experience has shown that such an arrangement is practically satisfactory when the operating and starting voltages are not excessive according to the criteria above set forth,i. e., when the electrode gap ll--ll is not too long,and when the surface/a ea of the lead l3b is quite small. The lead I3b ay pref-.

" erabiy be provided with projecting anodes or starting "points 25, 25, formed by short cross pieces of wire (tungsten or molybdenum) welded to the lead, adjacent each electrode I I, as shown in Fig. 5. Such anode projections or enlargements 25 not only serve as definite starting points, but also bear the brunt of the local starting discharges. By their limited size they provide sufiicient anode areas for the local discharges at starting, while limiting the discharges in volume at startin and afterward.

In order to minimize any persistence of local discharge ibetween an electrode II and the corresponding heating current lead l3 or I81), I prefer to limit or minimize the anode area for such discharge, inasmuch as only a small local discharge cu'rrent is required to facilitate starting. For this purpose, all but a small area of the heating current lead wire may be insulatively covered. Accordingly, Fig. 5 shows an insulative tube 26 (of glass, or even of more refractory material like alumina) around all of the lead l3b between the electrodes H, II, excepting very short places adjacent the latter, where the lead is exposed for starting, and the points 25, are attached, if used.

Fig. 6 shows a device like Fig. 5 with two additional intermediate exposed starting points 25d, 25d, on the head l3b, between the starting points 25, 25 to assist in starting along main discharge.

While the set-up of Fig. 1 is more complicated than those of Figs. 3-6, it permits a higher starting voltage and a longer main discharge gap, because proper starting voltages are provided for the electrode heaters"l-|, l1 and the local starting discharges (between electrodes H, II and leads l3, it), regardless of the main gap length li-Il and e main discharge voltage. However, similaradvanta es can be secured without the complications of Fig. 1, by suitable resistance of or in the lead serially interconnecting the electrode heaters I]! I1.

In the device of ['Fig. '7, a coiled wire or filamentary resistance) (as of tungsten or molybdenum) is interposed in the lead I31), preferably at mid-length in the main discharge gap, to take any excess of voltage between the electrodes lie, 1 le as compared with what can safely be taken by the electrode-heating resistance l1, II. By thus nicely adjusting the voltage drop in the resistances l1, l1, their enclosure as in Figs. 1-6 becomes unnecessary in many cases. Accordingly, the electrodes He, He are here shown as of open-ended hollow type, with their open ends toward one another, and internally emissive. While the details of their construction are broadly unessential, each of them is shown as consisting of a (nickel) tube He internally surfaced or coated with electron-emissive material (barium oxide) l5, and having an insulative refractory (lava) plug We in one end only. To protect the resistance coils l1, l1 and from any possibility of undue stretching out under tension due to the weight of the parts (particularly the electrodes He, He), rigid insulative connections between the leads connected by these coils may be provided, each shown as consisting of wires 3|, 3| fused into insulative (glass or alumina) beads 32, and welded to the leads at opposite sides of the coils.

In a sodium or similar metal vapor discharge device, the energy absorbed in the intermediate axial resistance 30 during operation is not wasted, but, on the contrary, tends to improve the overall efficiency of the device,even when the electrode resistances I1, l'l are not proportioned to produce local discharges to assist in the starting. This the resistance Slidoes by heating the walls of the envelope Hi between the electrodes lle, lie, and thus vaporizing condensed sodium that otherwise accumulates in this normally cool mid-region of the device-naturally cool because of the extra heat from the electrodes He, He at the ends of the lamp. This obviates forcing the main discharge by a high operating voltage in order to bring the envelope i0 generally up to the temperature (250 C. for sodium) corresponding to the vapor pressure of the working substance for maximum efllciency. But the lower the current density of the glow discharge, on the other hand, the higher its luminous efficiency; and the heat from the resistance 30 gives the envelope temperature required for efiiciency with a low current density in the main discharge. Obviously, the heating resistance 30 need not be concentrated in a short length as shown in Fig. 6, but may be extended or stretched out to cover as much as desired of the interval between the electrodes ile, iie,--so as to give as even a temperature as possible between them and throughout the length of the device, and so keep up a higher vapor pressure of sodium in the device. Axially located as shown, the resistance 30 heats the envelope walls evenly all the way around, which is important to assure adequate vapor pressure oi? tary heating resistance 36 operating at suitable low temperature serves to improve the quality of the light, which by itself is too predominantly yellow for many purposes.

Ifthe filamentary resistance 30 is heated to incandescence underthe relatively high starting voltage and current through it, or if it is coated with emissive material (like barium oxide) then it may become electron-emissive during starting, and act as a sort of temporary intermediate aux-- illary electrode to assist in starting: i. e., the local discharges at the electrodes He, He may be followed by intermediate discharges between each of these electrodes and the heating filament 30,-

thus ionizing more gas between the main electrodes and thereby further: facilitating starting of the main discharge between them. Such action can be prevented, of course, by making the resistance 30 such as notto reach an incandescent or electron -err.issive temperature during starting. Or if the intermediate resistance 30 has to take a voltage somewhat exceeding the ionization potential of the atmosphere in the envelope during operation of the device, local discharge or arcing along this resistance 30 may nevertheless be obviated by insulatively (and refractorily) enclosing it,-provided, of course, the voltage drop in question is not too high.

Fig. 8 shows a lamp somewhat similar to that of Fig. 7, but having the intermediate resistance 36f extended over the whole interval between the electrodes i i i if and the heating resistances 1 H1, ll). As shown, these resistances 6', 361, H are all combined in one length of finely coiled wire or filament (tungsten or molybdenum), which is greatly stretched out between the electrodes ii), iii, and left concentrated within them. This affords the necessary resistances at the electrodes iii, iii to take voltages above the ionization potential of the atmosphere in the device at starting, and thus assure local discharges between each electrode and the adjacent portion (iii or 36f) of the long filament, .to assist in starting. The stretching out of theintermediate resistance 33f over a long length minimizes the likelihood of discharges or arcs along it during operation if the voltage drop on it is rather high. The uniform heating of the envelope it) throughout its length by the electrodes and the filamentary resistance 30f improves the emciency of a sodium vapor or similar glow discharge device, regardless of whether the resistances l'lf, H are proportioned to produce local starting discharges or not.

While the details of construction of the device shown in Fig. 8 are not broadly essential, they present features of peculiar novelty and advantage. As here shown, the envelope I0} is cylindrical, with a hemispherical upper end or bow1, rather than more strictly tubular as in Figs. 1-7, and is equipped with a unitary base and contact terminal structure 35 of the type commonly known as a, bi-post base. This structure 35 comprises a cup-like (glass) body with down-- ward-projecting hollow nipples 36, 36 to which are fused hollow metal terminal posts or thimblesleeves 31, 31, closed at their lower ends. The exhaust tip 38 on the glass body 35 is also shown. Metal lead wires 40, 4| are attached to the hollow contact terminals 31, 3! inside the latter, and extend up through the nipples 36, 36 into the cup-like body 35, where the lead 40 is bent to extend radially inward to (and across) the center or axis of the envelope i0), while the lead 4| extends up near the bowl end of the envelope before being similarly bent. The nickel tube base l4! of each electrode I I] is attached to the corresponding current lead 46 or 4|, which extends diametrally across the end of this tube l4f, by (nickel) wires or strips 42, 42, welded to tube and lead. In the present instance, the electrodes llf, III are externally emissive, and their emissive (barium oxide) coatings I5, 55 are on the outside of the tubes I, I4]. Both ends of these I or thermo-insulative, as well as electrically insulative) is shown in each post-nipple 36, 36, forming a septum across the interior of the nipple. The current lead 40 or 4| (as the case may be) extends through a hole in the disc 48, and this hole and the Joint around the disc edge are Sealed tight with suitable insulative cement, which at the lead 4| may also form an insulative joint between the tube 43 and the disc 48. A fine tube 49 extends through the disc 48, to per mit the interior of the terminal post 31 to be exhausted through the bulb proper and the tip 38. The opening through the tube 49 is so fine as to be automatically closed or sealed up by sodium or the like condensing in the tube when the device is first operated. Along with their other functions, the shut-oils 48, t8 reduce the loss of heat by transmission via the terminals 37, 2?.

In Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, various parts and features are marked with the same reference numbers as the corresponding .ones in Figs. 1 and 2 (with an added letter, where such distinction appears necessary), as a means of minimizing and avoiding repetitive description. It will be understood that besides the external ballasts 24 shown in Figs. 3-8, any or all of the devices may be operated with such usual sodium vapor lamp accessories as an enclosing vacuum jacket (not shown) and a refractory thermo-insulative asbestos jacket gasket (not shown) to conserve heat. A compensating resistance, reactor, or transformer (as witness Fig. 1) may be used to allow operation of the device on ordinary A. C. lighting circuits of to volts, etc.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A positive column electric discharge device comprising an envelope containing an ionizable gaseous atmosphere therein for the starting and operation of the device; widely separated coacting main discharge electrodes in said envelope, one at least thermionic; a discharge circuit for said main electrodes, and a heating circuit for said thermionic electrode having a relatively short discharge gap thereacross in the atmosphere in said envelope; heating means in said heating circuit for said thermionic main electrode; and voltage-controlling means for said heating circuit automatically permitting thereacross a voltage sufficiently exceeding the ionizing potential of the atmosphere in the envelope, during starting, to produce a local discharge across its said gap and thereby ionize the atmosphere and start the main discharge between said electrodes, and thereafter reducing the heating circuit voltage and thus preventing objectionable persistence of such local discharge.

2. A positive column electric discharge device for operation in conjunction with voltage-controlling means permitting relatively high starting voltage and assuring reduced operating voltage,

said device comprising an envelope containing an ionizable gaseous atmosphere therein for the starting and operation of the device; widely separated coacting main discharge electrodes in said envelope, one at least thermionic and provided with electrical heating means; a discharge circuit main discharge between said electrodes, and

thereafter taking a reduced voltage preventing objectionable persistence of such local discharge.

3. A positive column electric discharge device for operation in conjunction with voltage-controlling means permitting relatively high starting voltage and assuring reduced operating voltage, said device comprising an envelope containing an ionizable gaseous atmosphere therein for the starting and operation of the device; widely separated coacting main discharge electrodes in said envelope, one at least thermionic and provided with electrical heating means; and a heating circuit in parallel with the discharge gap between said main electrodes and including said heating means, and having'a relatively short discharge gap thereacross in the atmosphere in said envelope, in parallel with said heating means; the electrical resistances of said heating means and of the rest of said heating circuit being so proportioned that under the influence of said voltagecontrolling means said heating means takes a voltage sufilciently exceeding the ionization potential of the atmosphere in the envelope, during starting, to produce a local discharge across said short gap and thereby ionize the atmosphere and start the main discharge, and thereafter takes a reduced voltage preventing objectionable persistence of such local discharge.

4. A positive column electric discharge device for operation in conjunction with voltage-controlling means permitting relatively high starting voltage and assuring reduced operating voltage, said devicecomprising an envelope containing an ionizable gaseous atmosphere therein for the starting and operation of the device; widely separated coacting main discharge electrodes in said envelope, one at least thermionic and unipotential and having electrical heating means; and a heating circuit in parallel with the discharge gap between said main electrodes including said heating means and having a part in such close proximity to the emissive surface of said electrode as to provide a relatively short discharge gap in parallel with said resistance; the electrical resistances of said heating means and of the rest of said heating circuit being so proportioned that under the influence of said voltage-controlling means said heating means takes a voltage sufficiently exceeding the ionization potential of the atmosphere in, the envelope, during starting, to

produce a local discharge across said short gap and thereby ionize the atmosphere and start the main discharge, and thereafter takes a reduced voltage preventing objectionable persistence of such local discharge.

5. A positive column electric discharge device for operation in conjunction with voltage-controll'ng means permitting relatively high starting voltage and assuring reduced operating voltage, said device comprising an envelope containing an ionizable gaseous atmosphere therein for the starting and operation of the device; widely separated coacting, thermionic main discharge electrodes in said envelope having electrical heating means; and a heating circuit in parallel with the discharge gapbetween said main electrodes including said heating means in series with one another and having relatively short discharge gaps in the atmosphere in said envelope, in parallel with said heating means respectively; the electrical resistances of said heating means being so proportioned to the total resistance of said heating circuit that underthe influence of said voltage-controlling means said heating means take voltages sufliciently exceeding the ionization potential of the atmosphere in the envelope, during starting, to produce local discharges across said short gaps and thereby ionize the atmosphere and start the main discharge, and thereafter take reduced voltages preventing objectionable persist ence of such local discharges.

6. A positive columnelectric discharge device for operation in conjunction with voltage-controlling means'permitting relatively high starting voltage and assuring reduced operating voltage, said device comprising an envelope containing an ionizable gaseous atmosphere therein for the starting and operation of the device; widely separated coacting thermionic, unipotential main discharge electrodes in said envelope having electrical heating means; and a heating circuit in parallel with the discharge gap between said main electrodes serially including said heating means and a current lead along through the discharge gap between the electrodes interconnecting the heating means, and also having parts in such close proximity to the emissive surfaces of said electrodes as to provide relatively short discharge gaps in parallel with said heating means, respectively; the electrical resistances of said heating means being so proportioned to the total resistance of said heating circuit that under the influence of said voltage-controlling means said heating means take voltages sufficiently exceeding the ionization potential of the atmosphere in the envelope during starting, to produce local discharges across said short gaps and thereby ionize the'atmosphere and start the main discharge, and thereafter take reduced voltages preventing objectionable persistance of such local discharges.

7. A positive column electric discharge device for operation in conjunction with voltage-controlling means permitting relatively high starting voltage and assuring reduced operating voltage, said device comprising an envelope containing an ionizable gaseous atmosphere therein for the starting and operation of the device; widely separated, coacting, thermionic, unipotential, main discharge supporting electrodes in said envelope having electrical heating means; and a heating circuit in parallel with the discharge gap between said main electrodes serially including said heating means and a current lead heating means take voltages sufificientlvexceeding the ionization potential of the atmosphere in the envelope, during starting, to produce local discharges across said short gaps and thereby ionize the atmosphere and start the main discharge, and thereafter take reduced voltages preventing objectionable persistence ef such local discharges.

8. A positive column electric discharge device for operation in conjunction with voltage-controlling means permitting reiatively high starting voltage and assuring reduced operating voltage, said device comprising an envelope containing an ionizable gaseous atmosphere therein for thestarting and operation of the device; widely separated, coacting, thermionic, unipotential, main discharge supporting electrodes in said envelope having electrical heating means; and a heating circuit in parallel with the discharge gap between said main electrodes serially including said heating means and an insulatively covered current lead along through the discharge gap between the electrode interconnecting the heating means and also having exposed portions in such close proximity to the emissive surfaces of said electrodes as to provide relatively short discharge gaps in parallel with said heating means, respectively; the electrical resistances of said heating means being so proportioned to the total resistance of said heating circuit that under the influence of said voltagecontrolling means said heating means take voltages suiliciently exceeding the ionization potential of the atmosphere in the envelope, during starting, to produce local discharges across said short gaps and thereby ionize the atmosphere and start the main discharge, and thereafter take reduced voltages preventing objectionable persistance of such local discharges.

9. A positive column electric discharge device for operation in conjunction with voltage-controlling means permitting relatively high starting voltage and assuring reduced operating voltage, said device comprising an envelope containing an ionizable gaseous atmosphere therein for the starting and operation of the device; widely separated, coacting, thermionic, unipotentiai,

I main discharge supporting electrodes in said envelope having electrical heating means; and a heating circuit in parallel with the discharge gap between 'said-main electrodes serially including said heating means and an insulatively co ered current lead along through the discharge gap between the electrodes interconnecting the heating means, and also having exposed anode points in such close proximity to the emissive surfaces of said electrodes as to provide relatively short discharge gaps in parallel with said heating means, respectively, and also at intervals between them; the electrical resistances of said heating means being so proportioned to the total resistance of said heating circuit that under the influence of said voltage-controlling means said heating means take voltages sufficiently exceeding the ionization potential of the atmosphere in the envelope, during starting, to produce local discharges across said short gaps and thereby ionize the atmosphere and start the main discharge, and thereafter take reduced voltages.

10. A positive column electric discharge device for operation in conjunction with voltage-controlling means permitting relatively high starting voltage and assuring reduced operating voltage, said device comprising an envelope containing an ionizable gaseous atmosphere therein for the starting and operation of the device; widely separated, coacting thermionic, unipotentiai, main discharge supporting electrodes in said envelope having electrical heating means; and a heating circuit in parallel with the discharge gap between said main electrodes serially including said heating means and a current lead embodying substantial resistance extending along through the discharge gap between the electrodes interconnecting the heating means, and also having parts in such close proximity to the emissive surfaces of said electrodes as to provide relatively short discharge gaps in parallel with said heating means, respectively; said heating means being so proportioned to the total resistance of said heating circuit that under the influence of said voltage-controlling means said heating means take voltages sufliciently exceeding the ionization potential of the atmosphere in the envelope, during starting, to produce local discharges across said short gaps and thereby ionize the atmosphere and start the main discharge, and thereafter take reduced voltages.

11. A positive column electric discharge device for operation in conjunction with voltage-com trolling means permitting relatively high starting voltage and assuring reduced operating voltage, said device comprising an envelope containing an ionizable gaseous atmosphere therein for the starting and operation of the device; widely separated, coacting, thermionic,unipotential,main discharge supporting electrodes in said envelope; and a filamentary heating circuit connected in parallel with the discharge gap between said main electrodes and extending along through said discharge gap, and having coiled end portions for heating the electrodes and a relatively uncoiled intermediate portion, and being in such close proximity to the emissive surfaces of said electrodes as to provide relatively short discharge gaps in parallel with said end portions, respectively; the resistances of said coiled end portions being so proportioned to the total resistance of said heating circuit that under the influence of said voltage-controlling means said end portions take voltages sufficiently exceeding the ionization potential of the atmosphere in the envelope, during starting, to produce local discharges across said short gaps and thereby ionize the atmosphere and start the main discharge, and thereafter take reduced voltages preventing objectionable persistence of such local discharges.

12. An electric discharge lamp comprising an envelope, a charge of vaporizable working substance in said envelope producing only a smallvapor pressure therein, with a diffuse electric discharge, during operation of the lamp; coactlng, thermionic, unipotentiai, electrodes axially arranged in said envelope and having electrical heating means; and a heating circuit in parallel with the discharge gap between said electrodes serially including the said heating means, with a current lead embodying substantial resistance extending axially of the envelope along through arranged in said envelope; and a filamentary heater extending axially of the envelope along through the discharge gap between said electrodes, and having coiled end portions for heating the electrodes and a relatively uncoiled intermediate portion for uniformly heating the envelope walls all around it.

GEORGE E. INMAN. 

